Equine Colic: Welfare Emergency Management and Prevention

Colic is the most common cause of death in horses and a frequent welfare emergency, encompassing a range of gastrointestinal conditions from mild gas colic to life-threatening large colon torsion.

Key Facts

Colic affects approximately 10 percent of horses in any given year
Severity ranges from mild spasmodic colic (self-limiting) to surgical emergencies with high mortality
Large colon volvulus (torsion) is the most life-threatening form, with mortality even with surgery
Risk factors include dietary changes, restricted water access, sand ingestion, and parasite burden
Horses are unable to vomit, making impactions and gas accumulations particularly dangerous

Welfare Considerations

Equine colic causes acute pain that is obvious and distressing. Horses with colic show pawing, looking at their flanks, rolling, sweating, and refusing feed. The pain of severe colic is severe enough to cause horses to throw themselves to the ground repeatedly. Large colon torsion causes ischemic pain that is excruciating, and horses in this condition are frequently in severe physiological shock. The welfare cost of surgical colic, while often necessary, includes anesthesia risk, prolonged recovery, and postoperative pain. The uncertainty about outcomes in severe cases creates significant distress for horses and owners. Prompt veterinary assessment is essential as delayed treatment worsens prognosis and prolongs suffering.

What You Can Do

Contact a vet immediately for any horse showing signs of abdominal pain or colic
Monitor horses for recovery or deterioration while awaiting veterinary attendance
Keep accurate records of management changes, feeding patterns, and water access
Implement parasite control programs tailored to individual horse worm burdens
Ensure access to fresh water at all times and avoid sudden dietary changes
Develop a colic emergency action plan with your veterinarian before emergencies occur